Anaheim to Union City is 389.7 miles and takes about 7h 16m via Westside Freeway/Golden State Freeway/I 5 Truck, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within California, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same area. Expect a predominantly highway experience with minimal deviation from major freeways. It's a straightforward trip for those prioritizing efficiency and covering distance, making it ideal for a single-day transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.9 miles from Anaheim, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Westside Freeway
225.6 mi
4h 1m
Golden State Freeway
50 mi
57m
I 5 Truck
37.7 mi
43m
Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
28.3 mi
32m
Santa Ana Freeway
21.3 mi
24m
William Elton Brown Freeway
17 mi
18m
Nimitz Freeway
2.7 mi
3m
Jackson Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Westside Freeway
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 1m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 354 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,402 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,136
Quietest
2 AM
~463 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaheim, CA and Union City, CA.
1
Start on this road
200 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Anaheim Boulevard
422 ft·21 sec·South Anaheim Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West Lincoln Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 5 North: Los Angeles
5
Merge onto I 5
3.3 mi·3 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
18 mi·20 min·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
25 mi·29 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
2.2 mi·2 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
1.5 mi·1 min·I 5 Truck
Exit 161AToward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 TruckUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 Truck
36 mi·41 min·I 5 Truck
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
22 mi·25 min·Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
226 mi·4 hr 1 min·Westside Freeway
Toward I 5 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 580
16 mi·17 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
Toward I 580 West: Tracy, San Francisco
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580 Bypass
1.1 mi·1 min·William Elton Brown Freeway
15
Merge onto I 580
18 mi·20 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 580
10 mi·11 min·Arthur H. Breed Junior Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 36Toward Redwood RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto Redwood Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Redwood Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on A Street
0.9 mi·1 min·A Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Mission Boulevard
0.3 mi·44 sec·Mission Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Turn slight right onto CA 92
1.7 mi·3 min·Jackson Street
Use the right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 26AToward I 880 South: San JoseUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 880
1.2 mi·1 min·Nimitz Freeway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
1.5 mi·1 min·Nimitz Freeway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 24Toward Whipple Road, Dyer StreetUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on Whipple Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Whipple Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn left onto Union City Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Union City Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right onto Cambridge Way
193 ft·8 sec·Cambridge Way
29
Arrive at destination
Cambridge Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Anaheim to avoid potential traffic congestion. With only 2 planned stops recommended, you'll have plenty of flexibility to adjust your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 225.6-mile stretch on the Westside Freeway, as services might be more spaced out. The $88 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, so plan to refuel accordingly before you get too low. This is a very manageable one-day trip, so don't feel rushed; take breaks when you need them.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.9 miles from Anaheim, CA, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.9 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anaheim, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anaheim, CA
This is one driving day of about 389.7 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Anaheim, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Westside Freeway for about 225.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.3 and 387.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
50.3 mi into trip|~1h in|I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A
Toward I 5 Truck North, CA 14 Truck
7
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 5 / Westside Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 / Westside Freeway toward I 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North
7
381.1 mi into trip|~7h 1m in
Take the exit toward Redwood Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36
Toward Redwood Road
7
384.8 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 880 South: San Jose
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26A
Toward I 880 South: San Jose
8
387.9 mi into trip|~7h 13m in
Take the exit toward Whipple Road, Dyer Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
Toward Whipple Road, Dyer Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.53 one way
$163.06 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$84.68
$169.35
premium
$5.67
$86.92
$173.83
diesel
$4.80
$73.58
$147.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.71
Efficient EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
EV Truck/SUV
155.9
1
$54.56
$24.94
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Anaheim, CA
Morning
in Anaheim on Monday
Local time
6:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Union City, CA
Morning
in Union City on Monday
Local time
6:59 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 to 9 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 12:00PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Hanford CA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 11:39AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultura...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 53.8
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 389.7
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 376.3
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 376.3
Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 107.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend nearly all your time on the highway, with 98% of the 389.7 miles on major freeways. The longest continuous stretch without a significant road change is 225.6 miles on the Westside Freeway. Be prepared for frequent merging and exiting as you navigate the freeway system. This profile suggests a consistent cruising speed for most of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on Westside Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and Golden State Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.3 miles in near I 5 Truck.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 389.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 381.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,806 ft11 ft
Total Climb
3,309 ft
Total Descent
3,456 ft
Highest Point
2,806 ft
~83.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,795 ft
Notable High Points
2,806 ft at ~83.5 miles+1,454 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anaheim, CA to Union City, CA, road signs begin pointing toward San Francisco along the way.
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. It is best known for being the home of Disneyland. Its second claim to fame is hosting the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks and Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels.
Top landmarks
•Disneyland — American theme park in California owned by The Walt Disney Company
•Disney California Adventure — theme park in California, part of Disneyland Resort
•Soarin' — flight motion simulator attraction at Disney parks
Union City is a city of 70,000 people (in 2020) in the southern part of the East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area region of California. It is bordered to the north by the city of Hayward and to the south by the city of Fremont. It is part of the Tri-Cities area, which consists of Union City, Fremont, and Newark.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 389.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.6 miles on Westside Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Union City, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.3 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.2 miles (I 5 / Westside Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 381.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Union City, CA before the return drive.
